Drain stopper with overflow



April 25, 1967 J. E. NOLAN 3,315,279

DRAIN STOPPER WITH OVERFLOW Filed Dec. 50, 1964 I INVENTOR 64 62 John E. Nolan ATTORN EY United States Patent 3,315,279 DRAIN STOPPER WITH OVERFLOW John E. Nolan, Anchorage, Ky., assignor to American Radiator & Standard Sanitary Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 422,280 Claims. (Cl. 4-198) This invention relates in general to the construction of basins, tubs and the like having overflows for wastes, and in particular to a new and useful drain stopper having an adjustable overflow.

At the present time there are many types of water overflows for sinks, basins and the like, but most, if not all, have a disadvantage in that they are not completely sanitary and the openings for the overflow are located in locations which are inaccessible for cleaning purposes, particularly in respect to the interiors thereof. In most instances the overflow is formed in the sink or basin itself, providing an opening at the upper portion of the basin for the discharge of the liquid down into the drain. The space behind the opening is likely to become contaminated and unsanitary, and it is diflicult, if not impossible to clean.

Prior to the present invention it has been attempted to provide separate overflow devices such as cylindrical tubes which are mounted in the drain opening and carry one or more openings at the upper end thereof for the controlled overflow of liquid from the sink or basin with which it is associated. A disadvantage of such devices is that the stopper for the sink drain must be removed when the tubular overflow is positioned in place, or in the event of permanently aflixed stoppers for the drain, such devices are unusable.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a combination drain stopper and overflow device principally for use with a sink or basin having a hand control for positioning the stopper located in the vicinity of the faucet. In a preferred arrangement, the device includes an outer tubular stopper member which is adapted to be positioned with its lower end within the sink drain for engagement with the control linkage of the hand stopper mechanism for moving the upper end into and out of sealing engagement with the drain opening. The device further includes a telescopic inner tubular member which is carried within the outer tubular formation and which may be pulled upwardly to a selected height for locating an overflow opening of the interior of the tube at a location above the bottom of the base or sink with which it is associated.

A feature of the invention is that the stopper may be operated in the usual manner, such as through a hand control, to permit either full flow outwardly through the drain pipe or complete stoppage of the sink for filling purposes. The overflow device which is contained within the stopper will not interfere with the stoppers opera tion, either when it is in a fully retracted position at which it is not used, or in an extended position at which an opening therein provides an overflow for liquid in' the basin at a raised elevation from the bottom thereof. In a preferred form the device is made as an assembly of two telescopic tubes with the outer one which forms the stopper having a flanged upper portion or valve sealing element, and with an inner portion being telescopic therein and which projects centrally upwardly therefrom in the form of a tubular knob or handle portion. When the stopper is fully closed, the inner stopper portion projects upwardly and may be grasped to position it at a raised elevation in order to locate an overflow opening above the bottom of the basin and provide an overflow at such location.

A feature of the construction is that the parts are readily accessible at all times and the overflow element itself, which is normally associated with the drain element, may be disassociated therefrom by removing a sealing ring. The overflow tube is normally stored within the stopper tube out of sight but is in a position permitting it to be easily grabbed for use.

Accordingly, a combination stopper and overflow device for a sink, basin, tub or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a com bination stopper and overflow comprising two telescopic tubular elements, the outer one forming a drain stopper, and the inner one being retractable for positioning at araised elevation within a sink or basin for defining an overflow opening.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stopper and drain element which may be employed with a sink basin having a mechanical linkage stopper mechanism actuated such as by a handle located near the faucet, and which includes an outer tubular element forming a stopper which is adapted to be connected to the linkage for actuating the same, and an inner tubular member which, when extended, will form an overflow.

A further object of the invention is to provide a drain stopper having an overflow which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a transverse sectional view of a sink having a drain stopper With an overflow constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the drain stopper with overflow shown in FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom view of the stopper shown in FIG. 2; and i FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the overflow tube.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein comprises a sink basin 10 with a drain opening 12 for waste which is conducted away through a drain conduit 14. The sink basin includes the usual faucet 16 which in the embodiment illustrated includes a hand-operated drain stopper actuating element 18 which forms part of an actuating or control linkage generally designated 20 for moving a combination drain stopper and overflow assembly generally designated 22 upwardly and downwardly within the conduit 14 for opening and closing the waste opening or discharge 12. The drain stopper element 18 is formed with a button or knob portion 24 which may be grasped by a persons hand for shifting the elevation of the element 18 from the solid line to the dotted line position indicated in FIG. 1. The lower end of the element 18 extends below the :basin top and is adjustably secured to a connecting linkage or link 26 which, in turn, is connected at its lower end to a rocking lever 28. The link 26 includes a U-shaped portion 26a having openings through which the element 18 extends. The element 18 is secured in an adjusted position with respect to the link 26 by means of a set screw 30. The rocking lever 28 is carried by a ball member 32 which is rotatably mounted within an extension 34 of the conduit 14. The rocking lever 28 extends through the ball member 32 and includes a shorter arm portion 28awhich is either positively connected to or provides engagement with the drain stoppage and overflow assembly 22. The ball 32 is retained by a holding nut 35 and suitable water tight seals are provided for the ball member 32 as is well known in the art. When the knob 24 is grasped to shift the element Patented Apr. 25, 1967 it is an object of this invention to provide 18, either upwardly or downwardly, the lever 28 is correspondingly shifted from the solid line to the dotted line position, as indicated. In the'embodiment shown, the drain stopper and overflow assembly 22 is moved upwardly to the solid line position indicated in FIG. 1 to open the drain opening 12 or is permitted to flow downwardly by gravity to close the drain opening 12 when the lever 28 is moved from the solid line to the dotted line position.

In accordance with the invention, the drain stopper and overflow assembly 22 comprises an outer tubular element 36 having a plurality of radially extending guide vanes 38 which provide a centering and guiding means for permitting upward and downward sliding movement of the drain stopper and overflow assembly 22 in the conduit 14. An annular groove or recess 40 is defined between the top of the guide vanes 38 and a flanged upper portion 42 of the tubular member 36 in which is carried an annular sealing flap member 44 preferably made of a resilient material and having a projecting flap 46 which is adapted to make sealing engagement with inclined walls 48 of the drain opening 12 when the assembly 22 is moved to its lowermost position at which the opening 12 is closed.

The tubular element 36 may advantageously be made of a plastic material having a stamped metal shell 50 formed about'the upper part of the flange portion 42 which terminates in an upward tubular extension 50a which provides a lowermost stop or seat for a knob 52 of an inner tubular member 51 of an overflow element generally designated 54. The inner tubular element 51 is telescopic within the outer tubular element 36 and it carries a lowermost flange portion 56 which is prevented by a washer 58 from passing beyond the washer when the knob 52 is engaged to pull the inner tubular element 51 upwardly. Suitable sealing means, such as an O-ring 60, is provided to insure that no leakage occurs between the tubular element 36 and the outer walls of the inner tubular member 51.

The inner tubular member 51 is provided with one or more openings 62 adjacent the upper portion thereof which provide overflows for the discharge of liquid through the opening 62, the interior of the tube 51 and out through openings 62 and 64 defined at the lowermost ends at the inner tubular member 51 and outer tubular member 36, respectively.

' The drain stopper and overflow assembly 22 may be operated in the usual manner through the actuating mechanism 20 to provide complete retention of all the liquid within the basin by closing the waste opening 12, in which event the overflow element 54 is carried at a lowermost disposition within the assembly 22, as indicated in solid lines 1n FIG. 1, and as indicated in FIG. 2. Without interfering with the actuating mechanism 20, the drain stopper and overflow assembly 22 may be adjusted to act as an overflow by merely engaging the knob 52 and pulling the inner tubular member 51 upwardly to a selected height, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 1. This permits the basin 10 to 'be filled up to the opening 62 so that liquid may be retained in the basin, but without the danger that the basin will overflow because of a leaky faucet 16. The device described and indicated may be of a size such that the openings 62 will permit an overflow to protect against any leaking of the faucet 16, but may not be intended to protect against an open faucet. Such an arrangement permits a person who launders garments in a lavatory sink to be insured that the basin 10 will not overflow while the garments are soaking in the sink overnight and the overflow element 54 is extended.

A feature of the construction is that the overflow element 54 which may also be made of an inexpensive plastic material may be stored out of sight within the outer tube 36 in a position in. whic i will not interfere with the normal operation of the drain stopper. The stopper may the used in a normal manner, regardless of whether the overflow element 54 is raised or lowered.

While the instant invention has been illustrated and disclosed with reference to the particular embodiments thereof, it will be readily understood that variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A drain stopper and overflow device for regulating the discharge of liquid through a conduit having a discharge opening, comprising an outer tubular element adapted to be moved upwardly and downwardly in the conduit adjacent the discharge opening thereof and having a sealing portion engageable with the conduit to close the opening when in one position and to disengage from the conduit and to open the opening when in another position, an inner tubular element telescopic within said outer tubular element and having an opening providing a liquid flow passage from the exterior of said tubular element through the opening to the interior thereof, said tubular element having another opening adjacent its lower end for the discharge of liquid which passes therethrough back into the conduit for discharge.

2. A drain stopper and overflow device for regulating the discharge of liquid through a conduit having a discharge opening, comprising an outer tubular element adapted to be moved upwardly and downwardly in the conduit adjacent the discharge opening thereof and having a sealing portion engageable with the conduit to close the opening when in one position and to disengage from the conduit to open the opening when in another position, an inner tubular elemet telescopic within said outer tubular element and having an opening providing a liquid flow passage from the exterior of said inner tubular element to the interior thereof, and inner tubular element having another opening adjacent its lower end for the discharge of liquid which passes through first said opening into the conduit.

3. A drain stopper and overflow device for regulating the discharge of liquid through a conduit having a discharge opening comprising an outer tubular element adapted to be moved upwardly and downwardly in the conduit adjacent the discharge opening thereof and having a sealing portion engageable with the conduit to close the opening when one position and to disengage from the conduit to open the opening when in another position, an inner tubular element telescopic within said outer tubular element and having an overflow opening defined through a wall thereof providing a liquid flow passage from the exterior of said tubular element to the interior thereof, said inner tubular element having another opening adjacent its lower end for the discharge of liquid which passes through the overflow opening back into the conduit, said inner tubular element including a portion which projects from the upper portion of said outer tubular element for engagement by a persons hand, said tubular element being telescopic within said outer tubular element at least to an extent at'which the overflow opening thereof will be located below the top of said outer tubular element.

4. A drain stopper and overflow device for regulating the discharge of liquid through a conduit having a discharge opening, comprising an outer tubular element adapted to be moved upwardly and downwardly in the conduit adjacent the discharge opening thereof and having a sealing portion engageable with the conduit to close the opening when in one position and to disengage from the conduit to open the opening when in another position, an inner tubular element telescopic within said outer tubular element and having an overflow opening defined through a wall'thereof providing a liquid overflow passage from the exterior of said tubular element to the interior thereof, said inner tubular element having another opening adjacent its lower end for the discharge of liquid which passes through the overflow opening back into the conduit, said sealing portion of said outer tubular element including a conduit stopper sealing element carried at its upper end and projecting outwardly therefrom adapted to be positioned in sealing engagement with the conduit in the area adjacent the opening thereof.

5. A drain stopper and overflow device for use with a sink, basin or the like having a waste opening at its lower end formed by the top of a waste conduit, and including a stopper actuating mechanism with a member which is shifted upwardly and downwardly in the conduit adjacent the waste opening for shifting a stopper in respect thereto, the improvement, comprising a drain stopper and overflow assembly including an outer hollow tubular member slidable in said waste conduit and having an upper flange portion with sealing means engageable with said conduit around the waste opening when said drain stopper and overflow assembly is in a lowermost position to close the opening, an inner tubular member telescopic within said outer tubular member and having a hand-engageable portion projecting outwardly from the top of said outer tubular member, means sealing the upper portion of said outer tubular member when said inner tubular member and permitting telescopic movement of said outer member with respect to said inner tubular member, said inner tubular member having an opening defined through a wall thereof adjacent its upper portion for defining a liquid overflow passage to the interior of said tubular member for discharge into said conduit.

6. Admin stopper and overflow device for use with a sink, basin or the like having a waste opening at its lower end connected far discharge to a waste conduit and including a stopper actuating mechanism with a member which is shifted upwardly and downwardly in the conduit adjacent the opening for shifting a stopper therein, the improvement comprising a drain stopper and overflow assembly including an outer hollow tubular member, guide means on said outer tubular member for guiding said outer tubular member for sliding movement in the waste conduit, said outer tubular member having an upper flange portion with sealing means engageable with said conduit when said drain stopper and ovenflow assembly is in a lowermost position to close the discharge opening, an inner tubular member telescopic within said outer tubular member and having a hand-engageable portion projecting outwardly from the top of said outer tubular member, and means on the outer member sealing the upper portion of said outer tubular member with said inner tubular member and permitting the telescopic movement of said outer member with respect to said inner tubular member, said inner member having an opening defined through a wall thereof adjacent its upper portion for defining a liquid overflow passage to the interior of said tubular member for discharge through said tubular member into said conduit.

7. A drain stopper and overflow device for use with a sink, basin or the like having a waste opening at its lower end connected for discharge to a waste conduit and including a stopper actuating mechanism with a member which is shifted upwardly and downwardly in the conduit adjacent the opening for shifting a stopper therein, the improvement comprising a drain stopper and overflow assembly including an outer hollow tubular member slidable in the waste conduit and having an upper flange portion with sealing means engageable with said conduit when said drain stopper and overflow assembly is in a lowermost position to close the discharge opening, an inner tubular member telescopic within said outer tubular member and having a hand-engageable portion projecting outwardly from the top of said outer tubular member, means sealing the upper portion of said outer tubular member with said inner tubular member and permitting telescopic movement of said outer member with respect to said inner tubular member, said inner tubular member having an opening defined through a wall thereof adjacent its upper portion for defining a liquid overflow passage to the interior of said tubular member for discharge through said tubular member and said outer tubular member into said conduit, said outer tubular member having an annular recess defined adjacent its upper portion, said means sealing the upper portion of said outer tubular member including a sealing ring carried in said annular recess and said sealing means engageable with said conduit including a projecting flap portion which is adapted to overlie the walls of the conduit adjacent the waste opening for sealing the opening when said outer tube is in a lowermost position.

8. A drain stopper and overflow device for use with a sink, basin or the like having a waste opening at its lower end connected for discharge to a waste conduit and including a stopper actuating mechanism with a mernber which is shifted upwardly and downwardly in the conduit adjacent the opening for shifting a stopper therein, the improvement comprising a drain stopper and overflow assembly including an outer hollow tubular member slidable in the waste conduit and having an upper flange portion with sealing means engageable with said conduit 'when said drain stopper and overflow assembly is in a lowermost position to close the discharge opening, an inner tubular member telescopic within said outer tubular member and having a hand-engageable portion projecting outwardly from the top of said outer tubular member, means on the outer member sealing the upper portion of said outer tubular member with said inner tubular member and permitting telescopic movement of said outer member with respect to said inner tubular member, said inner tubular member having an opening defined through a wall thereof adjacent its upper portion for defining a liquid overflow passage to the interior of said inner tubular member for discharge through said inner tubular member into said conduit, said inner tubular member having a knob portion which is adapted to overlie a tubular extension of the flange portion in abutting relation therewith when said inner tubular member is in a lowermost position retracted within said outer tubular member.

9. A drain stopper and overflow device for use with a sink, basin or the like having a waste opening at its lower end connected for discharge to a waste conduit and including a stopper actuating mechanism with a member which is shifted upwardly and downwardly in the conduit adjacent the opening for shifting a stopper therein, the improvement comprising a drain stopper and overflow assembly including an outer hollow tubular member slidable in the waste conduit and having an upper flange por tion with sealing means engageable with said conduit when said drain stopper and overflow assembly is in a lowermost position to close the discharge opening, an inner tubular member being telescopic within said outer tubular member and having a hand-engageable portion projecting outwardly from the top of said outer tubular member, means on the outer member sealing the upper portion of said outer member with said inner tubular member and permitting the telescopic movement of said outer member with respect to said inner tubular member, said inner tubular member having an opening defined through a wall thereof adjacent its upper portion for defining a liquid overflow passage to the interior of said inner tubular member for discharge into said conduit, a plurality of guide vanes extending radially outwardly from said outer tubular member at angularly spaced locations engageable with the walls of said conduit for guiding said outer tubular member in respect to said conduit during the sliding movement thereof.

10. A drain stopper and overflow device for use with a sink, basin or the like having a waste opening at its lower end connected for discharge to a waste conduit and including a stopper actuating mechanism with a member which is shifted upwardly and downwardly in the conduit adjacent the opening for shifting a stopper therein, the improvement comprising a drain stopper and overflow 7 assembly including an outer hollow tubular member slidable in the waste conduit and having an upper portion with sealing means engageable with said conduit when said drain stopper and overflow assembly is in a lowermost position to close the discharge opening, an inner tubular member telescopic within said outer tubular member and having a hand-engageable portion projecting outwardly from the top of said outer tubular member, means on the outer member sealing the upper portion of said outer tubular member with said inner tubular member and permitting telescopic movement of said outer member with respect to said inner tubular member, said inner tubular member having an opening defined through a Wall thereof for defining a liquid overflow passage to the interior of said' inner tubular member for discharge into" said conduit, said actuating mechanism including a drain stopper element having a portion extending above said basin for engagement with a persons hand and being movable upwardly and downwardly, and a rocking lever connected to said element and having a portion engageable with said drain stopper and overflow assembly for shifting said assembly upwardly and downwardly for opening and closing said waste opening.

No references cited.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

H. I. GROSS, Assistant Examiner. 

3. A DRAIN STOPPER AND OVERFLOW DEVICE FOR REGULATING THE DISCHARGE OF LIQUID THROUGH A CONDUIT HAVING A DISCHARGE OPENING COMPRISING AN OUTER TUBULAR ELEMENT ADAPTED TO BE MOVED UPWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY IN THE CONDUIT ADJACENT THE DISCHARGE OPENING THEREOF AND HAVING A SEALING PORTION ENGAGEABLE WITH THE CONDUIT TO CLOSE THE OPENING WHEN ONE POSITION AND TO DISENGAGE FROM THE CONDUIT TO OPEN THE OPENING WHEN IN ANOTHER POSITION, AN INNER TUBULAR ELEMENT TELESCOPIC WITHIN SAID OUTER TUBULAR ELEMENT AND HAVING AN OVERFLOW OPENING DEFINED THROUGH A WALL THEREOF PROVIDING A LIQUID FLOW PASSAGE FROM THE EXTERIOR OF SAID TUBULAR ELEMENT TO THE INTERIOR THEREOF, SAID INNER TUBULAR ELEMENT HAVING ANOTHER OPENING ADJACENT ITS LOWER END FOR THE DISCHARGE OF LIQUID WHICH PASSES THROUGH THE OVERFLOW OPENING BACK INTO THE CONDUIT, SAID INNER TUBULAR ELEMENT INCLUDING A PORTION WHICH PROJECTS FROM THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID OUTER TUBULAR ELEMENT FOR ENGAGEMENT BY A PERSON''S HAND, SAID TUBULAR ELEMENT BEING TELESCOPIC WITHIN SAID OUTER TUBULAR ELEMENT AT LEAST TO AN EXTENT AT WHICH THE OVERFLOW OPENING THEREOF WILL BE LOCATED BELOW THE TOP OF SAID OUTER TUBULAR ELEMENT. 